Instilling a Sense of Capability

My parents taught me to make my own breakfast when I was about 6 years old. I'm not talking about cereal with milk and juice. I woke up early and I wanted a full-on breakfast: fried eggs, grits, cheese toast and a glass of milk. So every Saturday morning I made myself this breakfast. I can't even begin to tell you the sense of capability I felt knowing I could cook my own breakfast while most of my friends weren't even able to bake their own cookies yet; and the feeling of knowing my parents had confidence in me was also a wind in my wings.

So one of the many topics of thought for me as I was becoming a mama was knowing that I wanted my daughter to feel that same sense of capability in herself and to know that her parents also had confidence in her abilities. I started shortly after she was born; she was too young for actual cooking, but I wore her while I cooked and narrated everything I did to her. And since she had numerous food allergies at the time WE COOKED A LOT! Once she was confident on her own two legs I bought a learning tower (http://www.mylearningtower.com/) so she could safely stand beside me and help me prepare, cook and clean up.

We spent most of our time connecting as I taught her age-appropriate safety. Some of the things we started out with was washing our hands of germs, washing fruits, vegetables and rice of sediment, safe places to touch a stove and pan, gentle stirring to avoid hot splashes, etc. You will figure it out as you go, being mindful of your child's age, abilities and understanding. Just remember to teach and guide rather than expecting them to know, because without experience and gentle guidance they simply don't know...none of us do!  ~ab

Sling cooking



Occasionally I helped from here.

Invitation to cook



Cracking and beating the eggs

 

Gently stirring scrambled eggs.

Hand on utensil and cooking tower.



Rolling dough for cinnamon rolls

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